You know you are old when....

[Turandot]

I told someone I voted in the last referendum and they looked at me in disbelief as if I was ninety .It really made me feel old.

 

[historymystery]

You're right, Julius - they were absolutely vile. I couldn't remember the different coloured packs until you said, but they took the roof of your mouth off, that I do remember. They also created a "no go" cordon around you for 50 yards, because of the residual strong taste on your breath!

I remember Fisherman's Friend. There were different coloured packs - a white one, a minty green one and a mustard yellow one. From what I remember of them they were vile, horrid aniseedy little oval-shaped lozenges. Hated them! I remember my grandmother used to buy sweets called "Hacks" which were these great big black things. I used to like the mint toffees in the green and gold wrappers.

 

[historymystery]

Flippin' heck, how did you cope with more than one of those vile lozenges in your mouths? My Dad gave me one to try, and it nearly took the top of my head off! My Dad swore they helped prevent coughs and colds.......I found they prevented you breathing...

I grew up on the Fylde coast and we always had RI last period on a Friday afternoon, we'd dare each other to put multiple Fishermans Friends in our mouths - tears rolling down our cheeks. It somewhat back-fired when someone suggested saccharine tablets and three people threw up.

 

[historymystery]

I bought a lovely black lace strapless evening dress with boned bodice from the Clock House range in the 1980's, for a special occasion - £10 in their sale, and I've still got it (and the receipt)! Would need to lose a few (hmm!) pounds - or maybe more! - to get into it these days, but I can't bear to give it away, as it's still in great condition.

Clock House was part of C&A and "It's frothy Man" was Cresta (Crusha is a milkshake mix, still available)

 

[historymystery]

Yes, I do! Teeny little black 'pillow' shapes, if I remember rightly?

Oh yes Je Reviens, thought we were sooo sophisticated. Yes you can still get Fisherman Friends, I like them. Do you remember the tiny black lozenges, Little Imps??????

 

[historymystery]

Good old Nivea - my Mum always used it, and I use it, too, but wish my skin was as beautiful as hers was.

Another thing that makes me feel old is the absolutely vast array of skincare and cosmetics available today - not just on QVC but on the DHS.

Remembering my lovely Mum again, in the 1960's her dressing table had on it: Max Factor Pan-Stick foundation, Bourjois rouge which only came in one shade not the wide choice of today's blushes and bronzes. As for mascara, it was a solid block that had to be wetted and mixed to a thick liquid so it could be 'combed' onto her lashes. In the late 1950's she wore Evening in Paris perfume, a tiny dark blue glass bottle. By the mid 60's she switched between Coty L'Aimant and Blue Grass (Elizabeth Arden I think). She cleaned her face with Anne French cleansing milk and moisturised with Nivea. We all used Vosene shampoo and Camay soap. There really wasnt a lot of choice products until late 60's when Woolies and Boots expanded their ranges

Nowadays we are spoilt for choice. Such a monumental change in the course of my life.

 

[yorkrose26]

I get really annoyed when I get called "love "or "dear "by younger people as though Ive lost my marbles.Im not that old but I never got called those things when I was younger.

Because of the way that I dress and the fact that I am fat, people sometimes think I am 'simple' (sorry I know that is not the correct 'PC' term nowadays), but if I feel in the mood (which is most of the time), I play along knowing that it is their ignorance and stupidity that somehow makes me feel better (sorry I know one shouldn't get pleasure out of other people's misfortunes, but at times I do think it is justified )

 

[Pick-a-Lily]

I told someone I voted in the last referendum and they looked at me in disbelief as if I was ninety .It really made me feel old.

Off topic, but I am really interested to know whether your opinion has altered in the intervening years, or whether you will vote the same way this time? (No need to say which way, just curious to know whether you changed your mind). I wasn't quite old enough to vote last time, but remember having a strong opinion on the matter. This time around, I haven't made my mind up.

 

[Julius]

I bought a lovely black lace strapless evening dress with boned bodice from the Clock House range in the 1980's, for a special occasion - £10 in their sale, and I've still got it (and the receipt)! Would need to lose a few (hmm!) pounds - or maybe more! - to get into it these days, but I can't bear to give it away, as it's still in great condition.

Ah yes, wasn't that C&A? My dad was in one of their TV ads in the 70s! They used to have a range called Yessica. I remember the C&A logo on the door handle of their store in Western Rd, Brighton. They still have a C&A, I think, at La Défense in Paris.

 

[countrymaid]

I knew I was old yesterday when my 9 year old niece, looking at my wedding album asked "Was that you when you were young and pretty?" That put me in my place!

 

[Sazza]

Ah yes, wasn't that C&A? My dad was in one of their TV ads in the 70s! They used to have a range called Yessica. I remember the C&A logo on the door handle of their store in Western Rd, Brighton. They still have a C&A, I think, at La Défense in Paris.

Yep C&A, they pull put of UK many years ago now but they still have 1600 stores

 

[Silver Fox]

Sorry I have come well into this thread as I have been away for a week.We are not 'old' we just have longer memories. IMO there is too much emphasis put on age in the UK.I have grey hair, nearing 69 & I frequently feel invisible BUT having just been to Spain this does not feel the case.

 

[Anna]

Yep C&A, they pull put of UK many years ago now but they still have 1600 stores

Well I have learnt something - I did not realise that C & A had just pulled out of the UK and still traded in other countries. Our town centre did used to have a C & A, but it is like a ghost town now - quite a few pound stores and mobile phone shops.

 

[Silver Fox]

OOOO I do like all these posts that unlock long lost memories! The hours I spent massaging Camay soap into my skin,my Mum's Yardley Foundation cream,Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass my special fragrance, block mascara we used to spit on (really? YES!).When Clinique skin care was introduced into the UK.Charles of the Ritz was my must have skincare & makeup. When we went into decimal currency, Biba in Church Street Kensington, I bought furniture for my flat from the Habitat catalogue--I'll stop there!!!

 

[stratobuddy]

I must be thick, but when I was young I never realised that the C and A brand "CANDA" actually said C and A !

 

[Moth]

I remember the Evening Argus! Remember when their offices were in central Brighton! Do you remember a shop called "Sweetime" in Kensington Gardens? It used to sell all sorts of random things very cheaply!

[mum writes]

Yes, that's it, in Robert Street, before it was turned into trendy flats. And I certainly do remember Sweetime. I used to buy and eat piles of chocolate marzipan, because they sold it so cheaply! I used to love that shop, and the whole area. In fact, I still do but it has changed a lot since then.

My son (that's Moth) still has a Canda shirt. A black one, unfortunately only ever worn for funerals.

 

[Vienna]

I knew I was old yesterday when my 9 year old niece, looking at my wedding album asked "Was that you when you were young and pretty?" That put me in my place!

My Grandkids age 9 and 7 frequently come out with something along the lines of " was it like that in the olden days Nan ? ". Makes me feel ancient ...

 

[Akimbo]

My Nana use to tell me it stood for Coats & 'ats! She also taught me a couple of risque rhymes when I was v little; though not as rude as the ones my older brother urged me to recite in polite company! :mysmilie_11:

Getting old and revelling in all those wonderful memories is better than the alternatives!

 

[historymystery]

Absolutely right. C & A was also my first stop for holiday wear and winter coats, ignoring my Mum who was trying to persuade me into M & S, which I thought was old-fashioned.

Ah yes, wasn't that C&A? My dad was in one of their TV ads in the 70s! They used to have a range called Yessica. I remember the C&A logo on the door handle of their store in Western Rd, Brighton. They still have a C&A, I think, at La Défense in Paris.

 

[Akimbo]

I went skiing in the Pyrenees in 1978 and got all my ski stuff from C&A; they were known for their ski stuff!